Multi-dimensional approach to inclusive polls adopted
Reza Mahmud :
The government has under taken multi-dimensional initiatives to resolve the remaining obstacles to holding the upcoming 13th parliamentary polls in an inclusive manner as the experts have urged for a consensus among major political parties on the contentious poll issues.
Leading political parties including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP) and Islami Andolon are now at loggerheads with their divergent views and preconditions over holding the next general elections.
Among the above mentioned political parties, only the BNP agreed with the government to hold the next polls by February sharp while the others said certain conditions must be ensured before the election.
Their conditions included implement of major reform work, ensuring the justice of the fascists, level playing fields, and a legal frame of the July Charter.
The interim government previously vowed to complete major reform work in the several sectors of the state. But now, it seemed that the government’s ultimate aim is hold an election and hand over power to the winner party in hurry.
In these circumstances, some of the major political parties expressed their frustrations saying such hurried polls would not be acceptable and inclusive.
The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday announced election roadmap targeting hold the polls at mid February.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami opposed the declaration saying the polls plan is nothing but aiming to foil election. Besides, The NCP Chief Nahid Islam saying his party will participate in the polls only when the July Charter gets legal framework.
Political analysts expressed their deep shock over the parties such fluctuate statements.
They said such differences might ruin the national unity, which have been built through the July uprising in exchange for sacrificing huge bloodsheds and lives.
They said when whole nation is waiting for an acceptable national election the political parties should resolve their differences through dialogue.
When contacted, eminent political analyst, Professor Dr. S. M. Ali Reza, Department of Political Science, Dhaka University told The New Nation on Saturday, “The Nation is passing a very crucial moment now. In this time all the stakeholders have to stay unite. All the disputes should be resolved through dialogue.”
In the past times, it had been seen that many disputes was erased through conversations.
It is high time to follow the previous history and should start dialogue soon among the political parties.
The Professor said, the government has initiate dialogue with political parties which is very much positive. The political parties also should start negotiations among themselves.
Earlier, talking with The New Nation, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, if any political party has find out that anything is going wrong with holding next polls by February, they should open the issue.
“All of the disputes could be resolved through dialogue,” he said emphasising the next polls must be held by February as per the EC declared roadmap.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to meet with leaders of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Sunday to discuss the national election and the current state of the country. CA’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the schedule to the media at the State Guest House, Jamuna, on Saturday.
Alam noted that the meetings with BNP, Jamaat, and NCP will be held separately, with NCP scheduled at 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm respectively.
When asked about potential disruptions, the press secretary stated that no conspiracy could prevent the government from holding the election as planned in February next year.
Earlier, on Saturday, the CA Press Wing released a statement urging unity among all political and social forces that participated in the July Uprising.
“Such unity is vital to safeguard the achievements of our struggle, to resist all conspiracies against the people’s mandate, and to ensure a smooth transition to democracy,” the statement said.
It further emphasized, “The government reiterates, in the strongest terms, that the national election will take place on schedule, in the first half of February 2026. This is the government’s solemn commitment to the people of Bangladesh.”
The statement added, “Any conspiracies, obstructions, or attempts to delay or derail the election will be firmly resisted by the interim government and our democracy-loving patriotic citizens. The will of the people shall prevail, and no malicious force will be allowed to hinder our democratic progress.”